Hundreds Show Up For Quiznos Hepatitis Clinic

Clinics Held Tuesday, Wednesday

For the second time this month, customers of local restaurants are lining up for treatment because of a hepatitis scare.

NewsCenter 5's Jorge Quiroga reported that the first of two clinics at St. Anthony's Shrine in Boston began Tuesday morning for customers of Quiznos sub shop in Downtown Crossing.

By 11 a.m. Tuesday, the line of customers waiting to be inoculated stretched down Arch Street and around the corner.

"The person who worked at the Quiznos on Summer Street only worked there for two days. She was a new employee. She worked there on the 17th and 18th. The food actually stays there, they have a policy of throwing the food out on the third day, so anything that she may have handled in those two days would have been thrown out on the 19," said Boston Public Health Commission's Kristen O'Connor.

Health officials estimate about 1,500 people could have been exposed to the virus between June 17 and 19 and will need immunoglobulin shots.

"I'm not concerned about the shots," said Quiznos customer Keith Atkins. "I'm just going to make my lunch every day, that is all."

"I am a little concerned. I am happy they are holding this and offering this to the public, we don't have to pay for it. Better safe than sorry," said customer Emily Cashman.

The free clinic comes less than two weeks after 2,000 people were inoculated in Arlington after an employee at the Friendly's there was infected.

"It is not a chronic disease. You may look sick, you could be sick for a few weeks, very tired, nauseous, could be jaundice, but then you will be immune for life and you will not get a reoccurrence of it," said O'Connor.

"I wish I hadn't eaten there. That was the only time I ate there. Don't think I'll be eating there again," said customer Joel Otfinoski.

Quiznos is paying for the clinic that will run until 7 p.m. Tuesday, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.